Your dog is a social being, just like you! He/she loves walking in the park with you, playing ball or chase with you, and just being with you. Even when he/she's lying around the house or the backyard having a snooze, your dog is well aware of your presence, or absence, and appreciates every minute you spend with him/her. If you have a family, your dog loves being part of your family and no doubt has a special relationship with most, if not all, of the family members.
I have a Rottweiler, Kara, and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet. They're both female and both just turned 9 years. I've had them since they were puppies, and they're definitely members of my family. I love them to bits and would be lost without them.
I'll bet your dog is much like mine when it comes to interacting with you.
I know my dogs are always beside themselves with joy and excitement whenever I come home - regardless of whether I've been away for a week, or just popped out for 10 minutes! What human gets that excited to see you? No one? I thought so. I don't know any human who's even half that happy to see me.
Kara often stands and wags her tail when I walk past her in the house or when I talk to her. And Jet doesn't move from her comfortable position lying down. But her tail thumps up and down on the floor. Just goes to show that every dog has his/her own unique personality. Just like us.
And my dogs just love being let in from outside. They consider their place is in the house - just like the human members of the household!
And why not? Dogs really can be a man's (or a woman's or a child's) best friend. They rarely ask for anything. So long as you feed them regularly, and show them some love and attention, they're happy. And a happy dog is the first step to a healthy dog. (Don't get me wrong, dogs don't have to be allowed in the house to be happy - mind you, my dogs would like me to believe that this is the case!)
Consistency when dealing with your dog is very important. And I'm talking here about both the initial teaching/training of your dog, and also the reinforcement of those teachings throughout your dog's life.
It's essential for your dog's wellbeing for you to be consistent when disciplining, playing with and just simply spending time with, your dog. But it's also important for other members of the household (and even frequent visitors) to treat your dog in a similar manner where possible. This is particularly so if your dog has any problem behaviours, such as jumping up at people. If you don't also ask your family and your visitors to make it clear to your dog that this is unacceptable, your dog is unlikely to curb the jumping altogether. And this may simply perpetuate the problem.
Dogs who experience consistency tend to be better behaved dogs, and, guess what? You guessed it - better behaved dogs are happier dogs, and happier dogs are healthier dogs!
So you know what to do - love your dog, spend quality time with your dog, and make sure you're consistent.
About The Author
(c) Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs, 2004
Brigitte Smith is a dog lover and owns 2 dogs - a Rottweiler and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Brigitte has a special interest in improving the health and possibly extending the life of your dog.
You can subscribe to the Healthy Happy Dogs ezine - for free tips, information, strategies and resources for a healthier happier dog - at: http://www.healthyhappydogs.com; http://www.healthyhappydogs.com
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HarePets are many things in many ways but they are... Read More
It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence... Read More
Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog?Are they really necessary? - In... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass,... Read More
Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle *... Read More
1. Using tranquilizers.This is illegal in many states but other... Read More
What you feed your dog is really SO important for... Read More
You know that cats should always have a supply of... Read More
I really do not hope your are eating something, but... Read More
According to the American Humane Society, just 15% of dogs... Read More
The first thing to realize when you are training a... Read More
Here's a simple way... to help your horse learn twice... Read More
Can Your Dog Stomach This?There's an old adage that says... Read More
I have encountered folks who have complained to me about... Read More
Most of the diseases that threaten goldfish can be cured.... Read More
IntroductionA long time ago, before evolution turned the primate into... Read More
Stroking your cat can be good for your health! It... Read More
Dog SupplementsA good nutritional program of dog supplements is just... Read More
So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.Was it a stray... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid.... Read More
Attention breeders, livestock owners and pet lovers! *Pets looking for... Read More
I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years,... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More
When goldfish swim up to the glass of the tank,... Read More
If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite... Read More
Are you thinking about dog obedience school? Do you know... Read More
Training your dog to obey commands is an important part... Read More
Pets are people, too. At least, that's the way they... Read More
All puppies are small dogs ? some, however, won't be... Read More
On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
The 4th Of 6 Keys To Building A Life Long... Read More
Many chronic diseases commonly seen in pets result from immune... Read More
What's the best food for your Goldfish?Goldfish need food that... Read More
The shutting and opening door trick can be taught to... Read More
While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More
We all know how special interest groups can blow things... Read More
This is a very controversial topic which has a lot... Read More
Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More
This is an 11 step guide to setting up a... Read More
Before we talk about using the essential oils, we first... Read More
One of the biggest question asked of the discus breeder... Read More
Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters,... Read More
First pet stores began selling clothes for pets. Then kennels... Read More
Adopting a dog is a lot of fun, but it... Read More
Pet |